Benedicte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Benedicte comes from the personal name, Benedict, which was derived from the Latin name Benedictus, which meant blessed by God. 1 Another source notes the name could have been "from Benedictus, blessed, well spoken of, or a person wishing all good." 2

Early Origins of the Benedicte family

The surname Benedicte was first found in Warwickshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Benedict Biscop (628?-690), also called Biscop Baducing, was "founder of monasteries at Wearmouth and Jarrow, was an Angle of noble birth (Beda, v. 19, and Vita Abbat. i.), possibly of the royal race of the Lindisfari." 3

Benedict of Gloucester (fl. 1120), was author of a life of St. Dubricius, Archbishop of Caerleon, was, according to his own description of himself, a monk of St. Peter's, Gloucester.

Benedict (d. 1193), was "Abbot of Peterborough, whose birthplace is unknown, was probably a monk of Christ Church, Canterury, of which monastery he became prior in 1175. In 1177 he was elected to the abbacy of Peterborough, and died in that office at Michaelmas, 1193." 3

Early History of the Benedicte family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benedicte research. Another 232 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1273, 1322, 1500, 1617, 1638, 1689 and 1871 are included under the topic Early Benedicte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benedicte Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Benedicte has appeared include Benedict, Benedicte, Benedici, Benedicti and many more.

Early Notables of the Benedicte family

Distinguished members of the family include

Geoffrey Benedicte, a prominent 13th century landholder in Warwickshire

Migration of the Benedicte family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Benedicte arrived in North America very early: Simon Benedict who arrived in Philadelphia in 1732 and Russel Benedict who arrived in New Orleans in 1823.

The Benedicte Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: De bon vouloir servir le roy
Motto Translation: To serve the king with goo will.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print